Why do Bibles use thin paper?

Q: What is the story behind the design of the thin, silky pages of a standard Bible? As books go, the Bible is long. Using thinner pages reduces that overall bulk of the book and makes it easier to carry. Using high-quality paper makes the print clearer, easier to read, and generally prevents smearing and smudging.

What type of paper is the Bible printed on?

Paper of 30gsm or less in weight – ’20lb paper’ in the US – is usually described as ‘India paper’ and over 30gsm as ‘Bible paper’. Cambridge Bibles are printed on high-quality lightweight paper, chosen to achieve the optimum readability for the minimum bulk.

Why are Bible pages different?

Free Sheet — the grade most often used in Bibles. The paper is whiter than the groundwood grade, and it contains wood. To increase the opacity necessary for such thin paper, titanium dioxide is added to the paper to refract light. This paper is thinner than groundwood and costs more.

Should you throw away a Bible?

There are no specific scriptural instructions about how to dispose of an old Bible. While some may prefer to keep cherished copies of the Good Book for sentimental reasons, if a Bible is truly worn or damaged beyond use, it can be disposed of in whatever manner one’s conscience dictates.

Why do Bibles have gold pages?

The book block is trimmed, the edges are sanded, and the corners are evenly rounded, so that when the book is closed these page edges will show as a smooth gold or silver surface. The material used in this process gives a rich, bright, and attractive finish to the book.

Is sewn binding good?

Pros of Sewn Binding: Extremely durable and high quality, the binding will stay together as long as the pages last. It is designed to withstand wear and tear, making it an excellent choice for books that will be well-used over periods of time, such as textbooks.

What is Smyth sewn?

Smyth sewing is a method of book binding where groups of folded pages (referred to as signatures) are stitched together using binder thread. Each folded signature is sewn together individually with multiple stiches and then joined with other signatures to create the complete book block.

What do you do with old family Bibles?

Donate it.

• Churches, who may in turn donate the book to the needy.
• Libraries, who may offer the book for checking out or sell it in a fundraiser.
• Thrift stores, who can offer the book for relatively cheap to someone who may need it.
• Christian homeless shelters, many of which offer prayer groups and bible study classes.